Norwood's immigration bill put forth

A bill to empower local police to arrest illegal aliens gained a new chance for passage Friday, seven months after the congressman who wrote it died.

U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Friday introduced "The Charlie Norwood CLEAR Act of 2007," naming it for the late U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood - who pushed it until his death Feb. 13.

Norwood, R-Augusta, first introduced the Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal Act in 2003 and wound up getting nearly one fourth of the House to cosponsor the bill, though it never was passed.

Blackburn had 75 cosponsors for H.R. 3494 when she introduced it, and heading the list is U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, R-Athens, the man who won a special election in July to complete Norwood's term.